Display connector for electronic device

ABSTRACT

A display connector includes a body having a mounting portion on one surface, a detachably installed display member, a pair of rotation pins in the mounting portion, a pair of rotating fixing brackets for the rotation pins, a locking feature, an unlocking feature, and a rotating light emitter coupled to either of rotation pin with a laser diode array. Each diode in the array independently radiates light according to a driving signal. A light receiving module in the display faces the light emitting module when the display is mounted on the body, and has a photo diode array for receiving the output of the laser diode array. The picture signal is transmitted from the body to the rotatably-connected display using the light.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic device having a display,and more particularly, to a display connector for an electronic deviceconfigured such that the display is detachable from the body of theelectronic device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a portable electronic device having a display, such as anotebook computer, a web video phone, a digital video camera, or thelike, has a display integrally formed with a body. Herein, the displaymay also be referred to as a display member for the sake of generalityand linguistic convenience. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of aconventional notebook computer as an example of an electronic devicehaving an integral display member.

Referring to FIG. 1, the notebook computer includes a body 1 having acomputer system and a display member 3 for displaying an image accordingto a picture signal from the body 1.

The body 1 includes an input device for inputting manipulation commands,such as a keyboard or a mouse, a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM, a modem,peripheral devices such as a LAN card, or an acoustic device forproviding an audio signal. The display member 3 is an output device foroutputting information supplied from the body 1 in the form of an image.The display member 3 is hinged at a side of the body 1 so as to becapable of being opened or closed. Also, the display member 3 iselectrically connected to the body 1 by a cable 5.

In the notebook computer having the aforementioned configuration, sincethe body 1 and the display member 3 are directly hinged and connected toeach other by the cable 5, they are not separable. During use of thenotebook computer, the body or display member thereof may becomedefective. Also, when the service life of the body or display member isat an end, or when the display member is intended to be replaced with anew one having a larger screen, the replacement of display memberscannot be done directly by a user. Also, the cable is exposed outside,resulting in an undesirable outer appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above problems, it is an objective of the present inventionto provide a display connector of an electronic device configured suchthat a display member is detachable from a body.

Accordingly, to achieve the above objective, there is provided a displayconnector including a body having a mounting portion on one surface, adisplay member for receiving a picture signal from the body anddisplaying a corresponding image, which is detachably installed withrespect to the body, a pair of rotation pins rotatably installed in themounting portion, a pair of fixing brackets provided in the displaymember to correspond to the rotation pins, and coupled to the rotationpins when the display member and the body are connected so as rotatealong with the rotation pins, locking means for maintaining connectionbetween the fixing brackets and the rotation pins, unlocking means forcanceling connection between the fixing brackets and the rotation pins,a light emitting module coupled to either of the rotation pins to berotated therewith, and having a laser diode array for independentlyradiating light according to driving signal, and a light receivingmodule installed in the display member to be locked to face the lightemitting module when the display member is mounted on the body, andhaving a photo diode array for independently performing a photoelectricconversion on incident light, wherein the display member is detachablyinstalled with respect to the body, and the picture signal istransmitted from the body to the display member using light while thedisplay member rotatably connected to the body.

The locking means may include a locking groove formed in a head of therotation pin, a locking member movably installed in the display memberto move toward and couple to the locking groove when the display memberis connected to the body, and a spring for elastically pressing thelocking member toward the locking groove.

Also, the unlocking means may include a guide hole formed in the displaymember, and an unlocking lever having one end coupled to the lockingmember and the other end slidably installed in the guide hole.

Preferably, the mounting portion protrudes from one plane of the body,and the rotation pins are symmetrically installed at both ends of themounting portion.

The light emitting module is preferably installed between the pair ofrotation pins.

Also, each of the rotation pins preferably has a predetermined fasteningportion having a rectangular cross section at one end, each of thefixing brackets preferably has a predetermined fastening groove formedto correspond to the shape of the cross section of the fasteningportion, and the rotation pin and the fixing bracket rotate together ina state where the fastening portion and the fastening grooves areconnected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objective and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent by describing in detail a preferred embodiment thereofwith reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a general notebook computer;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display connectorof an electronic device according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating essential parts ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view partially illustrating a disconnectedstate of the display connector shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a display connector of an electronic deviceaccording to the present invention includes a body 10 having a mountingportion 13 and a display member 20.

The mounting portion 13 protrudes from one surface of the body 10 havinginput keys 11. A pair of rotation pins 30 are rotatably installed atboth sides of the mounting portion 13. Preferably, the rotation pins 30are installed in support brackets 15 installed in the body 10. It willbe understood that “installed in the body” is used to mean that the pinsare installed with respect to the body, and includes situations in whichthe pins are completely in the body, partially in the body, or on thebody but not precisely in it. Also, a plurality of friction members 17are installed between each rotation pin 30 and its support bracket 15.The friction members 17 provide a frictional force to the rotation pin30, thereby suppressing free rotation of the rotation pin 30.

Also, either of the pair of rotation pins 30 is coupled to a lightemitting module 60 to be described later. One end of the rotation pin 30coupled to the light emitting module 60 has a non-circular crosssection, e.g., rectangular cross section, and is coupled to the lightemitting module 60. Thus, the rotation pin 30 and the light emittingmodule 60 can be integrally rotated. Also, a guide groove 31 a and alocking groove 31 b are formed in a head 31 provided at the other end ofthe rotation pin 30. The rotation pin 30 has a fastening portion 33having a rectangular cross section at a portion adjacent to the head 31.

The rotation pin 30 having the aforementioned configuration functions torotatably support the display member 20 and to support the lightemitting module 60. Thus, separate elements for supporting the lightemitting module 60 or the display member 20 are not necessary, therebyreducing the number of elements.

The display member 20 includes a panel 21 for receiving a picture signalfrom the body 10 and displaying the same, and a case 23 for supportingthe panel 21. The fixing bracket 40 is accommodated within the case 23and exposed outside through a through-hole H formed in the case 23.Also, the fixing bracket 40 is bent toward the rotation pin 30 and has afastening groove 41 formed at an end corresponding to the through-holeH. When the body 10 and the display member 20 are connected, thefastening groove 41 and the fastening portion 33 are coupled relative toeach other. Thus, the fixing bracket 40 is capable of rotating alongwith the rotation pin 30.

Locking means for maintaining a fastened state between the rotation pin30 and the fixing bracket 40, and unlocking means for releasing thefastened state, are installed inside the case 23. It will be appreciatedthat the locking means and unlocking means may, for convenience, also bereferred to collectively as a lock which may be locked or unlocked.

The locking means includes a locking member 50 and a spring 55. Thelocking member 50 is movably installed within the case 23 to beselectively locked to or unlocked from the locking groove 31 b. Thelocking member 50 includes a body 51 having a connection hole 51 a and alocking rod 53 protruding from the body 51 toward the head 31. Thelocking member 50 moves between a first position and a second position.Here, the first position is where the locking member 50 is positionedwhen the locking rod 53 and the locking groove 31 b are connected toeach other, and the second position is where the locking member 50 ispositioned when the locking rod 53 and the locking groove 31 b aredisconnected from each other. The spring 55 is installed in the case 23,and elastically presses the locking member 50 toward the first position.Thus, the separation of the locking member 50 and the rotation pin 30 isprevented by the force of the spring 55.

The unlocking means includes a guide hole 23 a formed in the case 23 andan unlocking lever 57. The unlocking lever 57 is slidably installed inthe guide hole 23 a, and is partially exposed outward through the guidehole 23 a. Also, the unlocking lever 57 has a pair of hooks 57 ainserted into the connection hole 51 a to be connected. Thus, theunlocking lever 57 is manually moved by a user so as to move the lockingmember 50 to the first and second positions.

The light emitting module 60 is installed in the mounting portion 13 tobe positioned between the rotation pins 30. When the body 10 and thedisplay member 20 are connected, the light emitting module 60 is coupledrelative to a light receiving module 70 to be described later. Referringto FIG. 4, the light emitting module 60 is supported by the rotation pin30 and the mounting portion 13. In other words, one end of the lightemitting module 60 is supported by the rotation pin 30 and the other endthereof is rotatably connected to a shaft 13 a provided at the mountingportion 13. Thus, the light emitting module 60 can be rotated along withthe rotation pin 30.

Also, the light emitting module 60 includes a laser diode array 61 forindependently radiating light according to a driving signal, and a firstholder 63 connected to the rotation pin 30, for supporting the laserdiode array 61. The laser diode array 61 includes a plurality of laserdiodes. When the display member 20 is mounted on the body 10, the laserdiode array 61 is driven by applying current to first electrodes 65 and75 provided at the light receiving module 70 and the first holder 63 tothen irradiate light. Also, when the body 10 and the display member 20are disconnected, the laser diode array 61 stops operating bydisconnection of the first electrodes 65 and first switches 66 providedat the light emitting module 60 and the first holder 63. The firstswitches 66 are electrically connected to an auxiliary power source 81and a driver 83 of the laser diode array 61. Also, second electrodes 67for electrically connecting the body 10 and the display member 20 duringconnection, are provided in the first holder 63. One ends of the secondelectrodes 67 are selectively connected to or disconnected from secondswitches 68 connected to a main power source 84 according to connectionor disconnection of the body 10 and the display member 20. The otherends of the second electrodes 67 provided in the first holder 67 areconnected to a second electrode 77 provided in the light receivingmodule 70 when the body 10 and the display member 20 are connected.

The light receiving module 70 includes a photo diode array 71 forreceiving light radiated from the laser diode array 61, a second holder73 for supporting the photo diode array 71 and a housing 74 installed inthe case 23, for movably accommodating the second holder 73. The photodiode array 71 includes a plurality of photo diodes for independentlyperforming photoelectric conversion on incident light. When the body 10and the display member 20 are connected, the photo diode array 71 facesthe laser diode array 61 and is spaced apart by a predetermineddistance. Also, an elastic member 78 is further installed within thehousing 74 and elastically presses the second holder 73 outward. Thesecond electrode 77 protrudes at the exterior side of the housing 74toward the light emitting module 60.

The display connector of an electronic device having the aforementionedconfiguration operates as follows.

First, in order to connect the display member 20 to the body 10, in astate as shown in FIG. 4, the display member 20 is made to approach thebody 10. Then, the locking rod 53 is brought into contact with the guidegroove 31 a to be pushed away in a direction indicated by ‘A’. Then, ifthe locking rod 53 faces the locking groove 31 b, the locking rod 53 isrestored into its original place in a direction indicated by ‘B’ to becoupled to the locking groove 31 b. Simultaneously, the fastening groove41 of the fixing bracket 40 is connected to the fastening portion 33 ofthe rotation pin 30. Also, the light emitting module 60 and the lightreceiving module 70 are connected such that the respective diode arrays61 and 71 face each other and are spaced apart from each other by apredetermined distance. Thus, the light emitting module 60 and the lightreceiving module 70 are aligned so as to allow light transmissiontherebetween. In other words, at the same time the body 10 and thedisplay member 20 are connected, the respective first electrodes 65 and75 are connected. The first electrodes 65 are also connected to thefirst switches 66. The laser diode array 61 receives power from theauxiliary power source 81 to then be driven, and radiates light. Also,the second electrodes 67 and 77 are connected to each other. Thus, thebody 10 and the display member 20 are electrically connected to turn onthe panel 21.

As described above, the display member 20 mounted on the body 10 isrotatable with respect to the body 10 around the rotation pin 30. Also,the light emitting module 60 connected with the rotation pin 30 issimultaneously rotated in a state in which it is connected to the lightreceiving module 70. Also, transmission of picture signals is allowedbetween the respective modules 60 and 70 even during rotation.

When the display member 20 is intended to be disconnected from the body10, the locking member 50 is pushed away in the ‘A’ direction. Then, thelocking rod 53 is separated from the locking groove 31 b. In such astate, the display member 20 is separated from the body 10 in theopposite direction to the direction of connection. Then, the fasteningportion 33 is separated from the fastening groove 41 and the lightemitting module 60 and the light receiving module 70 are alsodisconnected. If the display member 20 is separated from the body 10,the panel 21 of the display member 20 is turned off. Also, the laserdiode array 61 stops operating. Thus, in a state in which the laserdiode array 61 is exposed to the outside, light is prevented from beingradiated therefrom. Thus, the user's safety can be ensured. Further,since a power source between the body 10 and the display member 20 isblocked, power loss can be reduced.

When the body 10 and the display member 20 are completely disconnectedfrom each other, the light emitting module 60 is maintained in a statein which it rotates along with the rotation pin 30 in a predeterminedpositional relationship. Thus, it is not necessary to realign therotation pin 30 and the light emitting module 60 when the display member20 is again connected to the body 10. In other words, even if therotation angle between the rotation pin 30 and the light emitting module60 is not adjusted, the respective modules 60 and 70 are automaticallyaligned during connection of the fixing bracket 40 and the rotation pin30.

As described above, the display connector of an electronic deviceaccording to the present invention is configured such that a displaymember can be easily attached to or detached from a body.

Therefore, in the display connector according to the present invention,the display member can be replaced with a new one perhaps having betterresolution and/or a larger screen. Also, the display connector can beeasily carried. Further, in the case where either the body or thedisplay member is defective or used up, it can be easily replaced. Also,since a picture signal is transmitted using light, electromagneticinterference can be reduced. Further, since the display member and alight emitting module are rotatably supported by a single rotation pin,the position of the light emitting module can be easily adjusted.Finally, due to reduction in the number of elements, the manufacturingcost can be reduced.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device with a display connector,comprising: a body having a mounting portion; a display memberresponsive to a picture signal to display a corresponding image,detachably installed with respect to said body; a pair of rotation pinsrotatably installed in said mounting portion; a pair of fixing bracketsprovided in said display member to correspond to said rotation pins andcoupled to said rotation pins when said display member and said body areconnected so as rotate along with said rotation pins; means formaintaining connection between said fixing brackets and said rotationpins, defining locking means; means for canceling connection betweensaid fixing brackets and said rotation pins, defining unlocking means; alight emitting module coupled to one of said rotation pins to be rotatedtherewith, and having a laser diode array for independently radiatinglight according to a driving signal; and a light receiving module,installed in said display member, receiving said picture signal as lightfrom said light emitting module when said display member is mounted onsaid body.
 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein saidlocking means comprises: a locking groove formed in a head of saidrotation pin; a locking member movably installed in said display memberto move toward and couple to said locking groove when said displaymember is connected to said body; and a spring for elastically pressingsaid locking member toward said locking groove.
 3. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said unlocking means comprises: a guidehole formed in said display member and an unlocking lever having one endcoupled to said locking member and another end slidably installed insaid guide hole.
 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, whereinsaid mounting portion protrudes from one plane of said body, and saidrotation pins are symmetrically installed at both ends of said mountingportion.
 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein saidlight emitting module is installed between said pair of rotation pins.6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein each of saidrotation pins has a predetermined fastening portion having a rectangularcross section at one end, each of said fixing brackets has apredetermined fastening groove formed to correspond to the shape of saidcross section of said fastening portion, and said rotation pin and saidfixing bracket rotate together in a state where said fastening portionand said fastening grooves are connected.